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the growth of thorns or whatever was ultimately 

 destined to be the mainstay. Artichokes grow very 

 quickly and the stalks will usually remain standing 

 all winter. Broom, also, is quick growing and makes 

 good covert for three or four years, but speedily becomes 

 lanky, and I, personally, would never recommend it. 

 In speaking of a desirable site for a covert I mentioned 

 the advantage of one with a small stream running 

 through it, but if the spot selected is not thus favoured, 

 a pond is easily made that will hold water all summer. 

 The making of a pond is simple enough in a clay soil, 

 but it is another matter on light sandy land. Bear 

 in mind that foxes must have water and if you want 

 them to occupy your covert you must provide a supply 

 close at hand. 



In a woodland country foxes have so many places to 

 choose from that it is unnecessary to make special 

 homes for them, and the management of the woods is 

 under the estate agent or his forester. 



An owner, having spared neither expense nor trouble 

 in building a small covert in a grass country, and is 

 fortunate enough to have a litter, must feel rather 

 annoyed at seemg the cubs held up and a brace or more 

 killed inside. He knows quite weU the bloodstain 

 means either the covert wiU be blank for the earUer 

 part of the season or wiU only hold a moderate fox. 

 In sj^eaking of smaU coverts I refer to those of five 

 acres or less. 



The huntsman wants to blood the young entry and at 

 the same time teach them to work for that end by facing 

 thorns or thick undergrowth ; whilst the master knows 

 that for future sport he must reduce litters to a reason- 

 able size. Every M.F.H. must be allowed to conduct 

 his cub-hunting operations according to the methods 



